08 Dec 2018 19:22:55
is broony now an impact player to calm and solidify the game when were a few goals up? your thoughts? no disrespect to him btw.

{Ed007's Note - We were talking about Broony on the live chat today, Gerry. I posed the question would he be happy to be a bit part player for the next two years? I think we all agree that we're playing better football without Brown in the team just now and if that continues I don't see where he will fit into the team moving forward - would a player with an attitude towards games like Brown be happy starting on the bench in the majority of games or might he decide he wants to play every week (and improve his bank balance) with a couple of years in the US?}

1.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 20:14:43
I think Brown could play the cm role and leave mcgregor were he is with Christie am lots of energy there.

{Ed007's Note - But then you've got McGregor in the team doing the only job Brown can do -play CDM - and Brown trying to play the box-to-box role which I think would be a disaster as he's not got the legs or the ability to do that job.}

2.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 20:58:45
He's not the lingering type I don't think, though we have plenty of those. He'll likely see the reality while watching. McGregor is likely to become more of a rounded player than Brown which is testament to his resolve and the clubs development of players. Biton is more suited to the multi positional back up role.

3.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 20:44:09
I think he has ed a lot of people forget brown has a lot of skill and speed of mine plus good positioning just a thought if Rogic goes of form.

{Ed007's Note - I love Broony and backed him to the hilt when there was people saying he was finished a few years back but I've never had him down as skilful, when you watch him now a lot of the time his second touch is a tackle or him stretching his leg to control the ball.
You really think Brown can do the box-to-box job like Armstrong, Christie, even McGregor is better in that role imo. If Brown's not playing CDM he's not in team for me, and I'm sad saying that, Patrick as I genuinely love him as a player.}

4.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 21:43:51
I wouldn't change the midfield atm ed just thinking players do go off form and we have to remember who started the 1st sevco game form is temporary I backed Forrest for years and look at him now.

{Ed007's Note - Forrest first of 4 goals against St Johnstone was his second league goal of this calendar year, since he broke into the team he has had these purple patches but he's another one like Rogic that needs to find consistency over a season rather than just specific spurts, that's the difference between good players and great players - I'm not saying he's a great but Sinclair still scores when he's in a lull and not playing well whereas Forrest and Rogic don't do that.}

5.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 22:09:39
On your point about Broony wanting to play every week Ed, I'd say legacy comes into it as well. Does his desire to play outweigh the hostory of staying and being remembered as the only player (as far as I can think) who was here for every season of the 10?

{Ed007's Note - Lustig has been here for the last 7 titles too so should he get a new contract because of his legacy - in fact isn't this going to be Lustig's 9th league title in a row including with Rosenberg?}

6.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 22:12:39
That's why I'm saying this is just a loss of form from brown and ncham look at what they have done they can get back to where they where the current midfield can only push that to happen.

{Ed007's Note - Brown's career is on the decline and on a downward spiral, he'll be 34 next summer and it's just going to get worse imo.}

7.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 22:25:12
Mate of mine was talking to someone who knows Browns agent a few weeks back and he was saying he was offski. Maybe that’s why Rodger’s isn’t in a rush to bring him back in - planning for life without him already.

{Ed007's Note - I've heard that off a few folk too and after what Rodgers said tonight about sentimentality etc I'm starting to think the same.}

8.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 22:30:35
Sort of no we're your coming from but for me it's a case of be careful what we wish for I'd rather he'd sign a contract so I'll put you on the spot ed would you want him to sign? Yes or no mate.

{Ed007's Note - Oh definitely, Patrick, I hope I'm not slagging Brown in any way but without talking about his role or how many appearances he would make I'd 100% rather have Brown in the squad.
My point is what will Brown want to do and be happy doing - would a coaching role (replacing Maloney?) and being a sub to see out games with the odd starting slot be enough for a competitive animal like Brown at only 32/33?}

9.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 22:37:13
I think Brown still has the ability to play at this level at the moment, I think what has changed is the teams style.
Without him, we have players who all play forward at a high tempo, whereas his role has always been to break up and steady the play. He will still very much have a role this season, but I do think this is the beginning of the end for him.
He will depart a hero whether it's after ten or before.

10.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 22:38:25
Im sure James Forrest has played every season so far Kev.

{Ed007's Note - So he has, I thought he missed the first one for some strange reason.}

11.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 23:05:54
Good shout! I wasn't sure exactly when Forrest had broken through.

12.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 22:38:55
I'm not saying anybody should get special treatment based on sentiment Ed. My point was that if Broony has the choice then he might make that choice based on his legacy and how he wants to be remembered.

{Ed007's Note - His legacy at Celtic is already guaranteed for me, a couple of seasons hanging onto that could easily bring his haters back out. I think Brown's up there with the complete mental winners in the game like a Keane, Neil Lennon or a Viera etc that don't really accept medals they haven't earned by playing 50 games a seasons and leading by example.
I just don't know if we can offer him the gametime he'll want at this stage of his career, Kev, maybe I'm looking too much at it from an angle of how I woukd feel, it's a big drop on the way down these days.}

13.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 22:49:11
See your point I think he has a big impact on the squad and would be my 1st pick for the hatefull place on the 29th I think we'll need him the authorities will have that down as a must win.

{Ed007's Note - Wouldn't you rather we went to Ibrox and played like we did today in the first half? Can we we play that fast free-flowing football with Brown in the team?}

14.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 23:36:04
When we had a dip in form brown was one of the few still getting 8 out of ten! And the dip in form he and Ntcham had was possibly due to the injuries they were carrying that they are just coming back from? Like Ed said I would 100% still love brown in the squad and sign a new contract if fecking Davie weir can okay till he was nearly 60 then scott brown can be here for 10 in a row? 🙂⚽️🍀🏆🏆🏆.

{Ed007's Note - But where do you see Brown in the starting 11 moving forward and developing the team like Rodgers talks about?}

15.) 08 Dec 2018
08 Dec 2018 23:41:58
Ed I think some games are made for players and that one's browns they'd be happy if he wasn't on the pitch.

{Ed007's Note - I get what you mean but if a team without Brown keeps running amok and tearing teams apart like today why change it to accommodate a player that we are beginning to accept is detrimental to the quality of football we play. We tore apart the team at the top of the league with Brown on the bench, beat the consistent 2nd best team in Scotland in a cup final with Brown on the bench, if you were Scott Brown wouldn't you be a bit concerned about your gametime over the next 6-18 months at your age and seeing the youngsters grabbing their chance?
Some posts are in a way comparing Brown to Bitton, bring him on to tighten up midfield and see games out, not much of a curtain call for one of our best ever captains is it?

16.) 09 Dec 2018
09 Dec 2018 00:02:28
Alots at this moment. of course I would love this current midfield to run amok at ibrox and I will love watching it if we do. just think we'll need him there bit like a lenny ed but I like your way hh.

{Ed007's Note - It's a good debate to be able to have.

17.) 09 Dec 2018
09 Dec 2018 00:18:58
A thoughtful thread. Must be strange for the man right now. Even recently I could imagine he wouldn't have been contemplating a celtic side without him as the mainstay.

On the one hand, it would be nice to see him enjoy a run in another good side abroad, in a league where the sun shines. There are maybe (slower moving) teams down south that would fancy him. On the other hand, I could easily imagine that playing for a team with whom he is less than utterly synonymous might be anticlimactic.

There'll always be matches we can use his grit and inspiration--but I think Ed is on the money here. I'd like to see him bank a few cheques and return for the climax of 10-in-a-row, in any capacity at all.

18.) 09 Dec 2018
09 Dec 2018 00:20:09
Reality is that for almost every game we play in Scotland his style of play isn't really needed and in Europe his limitations become more apparent. The football is better to watch when he's not playing, not a criticism more an opinion.

19.) 09 Dec 2018
09 Dec 2018 00:57:59
Time moves on, every dog had its day, Brown is still a great Celtic player, but maybe not good enough to get in the midfield as first choice, but should still be an important squad members, maybe in a month or two things will change and he will be first choice again, can seeing going into a coaching role sooner than later, i have always rated him, but I remember when he came from Hibs, there was slot of Celtic supporters saying he wasn't good enough, probably the same ones who said LG wasn't good enough to enough to wear the hoops, probably the same ones saying that we shouldn't be signing anyone from the Scottish leagues, when will they learn?

20.) 09 Dec 2018
09 Dec 2018 03:04:52
I can remember this same debate about Bobby Lennox before the 1972 cup final when he was only 29 or 30 at the time. That was 9 years before he played his final game. I think too many fans live in the here and now. McGregor has been outstanding but he’s played the holding role a handful of times. Broonie has been outstanding in it week in week out for the last couple of years and like every top professional, he’ll have a few dips every now and then. It’s possible this is the start of his decline but it’s equally possible that he’ll prove to be the more consistent performer in the role for another couple of years.

21.) 09 Dec 2018
09 Dec 2018 12:08:20
Rather have him in our squad than not.
There will be plenty games he's needed.
He brings so much more to the club that just a player as well. He's a leader in and off the pitch.

22.) 09 Dec 2018
09 Dec 2018 14:22:02
Ed, I agree with your take on Broony 100%. What a fantastic player he has been for us for so long. He has been immense, however the emergence of McGregor this season and Christie kinda indicates that perhaps Broony's time as an automatic pick is coming to an end. It's a fact of life and a normal cycle in football. I'll miss him when he goes but the reality is that we are getting close to that time.

I genuinely hope he gets a couple of years in USA/Oz with some bumper paydays. He has well and truly gained his place in our hall of fame and he doesn't need to prove it any further. Broony has been a warrior. He may not be finished just yet but he is definitely coming to the crossroads of his career and I'm sure every one of us will agree that we have had the best out of a talented player with an incredibly positive attitude. HH.